About and Highlights
Florian Borstlap (NL, 1983).
Artist Statement
My work as an artist and curator is shaped by my life journey. As a child, I traveled the world with my parents, discovering how powerful stories and performances can connect people. Later, I spent 15 years working at sea as a first mate (Captain’s deputy), learning how to balance being alone with working closely with others. These experiences—working with crews from different cultures and taking on big responsibilities—taught me the value of teamwork and creativity.
From 2014 to 2022, I founded and ran The Performance Bar, where I organized over 500 performances. These events were all about experience together with others to create something new. My approach to art mixes playful ideas and humor with careful planning and thought. I’m interested in breaking down social rules and helping people feel a sense of shared ownership in art projects.
Now, I focus on creating mobile art installations that travel to different places. These installations invite people to explore art in new ways, where I encourage equal collaboration as a means of connecting people with each other and their environment. Soon, I will open a new studio called 'Het BorstLab'. Here I can experiment with other artists and visitors. In this space, we’ll blur the lines between research, rehearsal, and performance, exploring art through improvisation and experimentation.
My goal is to create interactions that feel a little awkward but also meaningful or fulfilling. Using humor, creativity, and an eye for social dynamics, I aim to break routines, celebrate the richness of life, and build spaces where people can connect, grow, and create together.
Courtesy: represented by Gallery Untitled
© photo by Iris Bergman
Contact
@ studioborstlap[at]gmail.com
📞 +316 465 521 02
Education:
2009-10 Universität der Künste Berlin, Visual Arts Sculpture and artistic research into performance art in nightlife. Attended lectures from Prof. Olafur Eliasson and Prof. David Evison
2006-10 HBO, Visual Arts, Willem de Kooning Academy
Sculpture and ceramic techniques, idea development and artistic events
2005-06 HBO, Bachelor Maritime Management
Interim education
2000-05 MBO, Maritime Officer and Hydro Engineering, Maritime Academy, Concluded with a 365-day internship at sea.
Nominations and Grand:
2019 Nomination Podium Prize: Gieskes-Strijbis Fund [yuri report] As a nominee we received a cash prize with which I was able to finance various artistic projects.
2019/22 Performing Arts Fund | New Makers Grand [awarded via WORM] Substantial growth as a curator and performer, expanding network, participating in dedicated theater productions and performance art. Extensive progress in cultural entrepreneurship and artistic leadership.
2025 – Impuls & Verdieping grant from CBK Rotterdam for De Tent: A mobile installation made from reused materials, in which the public, artists, and location collectively build a temporary, meaningful space.
Work Experience:
2024–present – Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen: Junior Curator of Performance Art, Media Art, and Events
2016–2022 – The Performance Bar at WORM Rotterdam: Co-founder, curator and Coordinator,
responsible for over 500 participatory happenings and/or exhibitions.
Article on ethnographic research:
What the f*ck?!-moments' at the Performance Bar Rotterdam - LKCA
NRC Artikel: Theater maken op hun eigen voorwaarden
2010–present – Visual Artist, Performer, and Theatre Maker
2005–2019 – Chief Mate: 14 years of experience in international merchant shipping and towage,
serving as the captain’s deputy.
Selected Artistic Activities:
2024 – Gallery Untitled – SOLO exhibition i.c.w. Ko De Kok: Snack Art: A pop-art project about the cultural experience of snacks. Works acquired by art collections of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Unilever, and KPMG. SHOP HERE
Instagram: Dutch Snack Art
2024 – BRUTUS, Unforeseen – Design for soundscape and performance
2023 – Villa Zebra – DUO exhibition with Onno Poiesz, including a performance presented to the Dutch Royal Family
2023 – Cristel's Ballroom, Amsterdam – GROUP show De Frituur Show, with Koos Buster & Snackbarlife, Ko de Kok.
2021 – MU Eindhoven – Collective SMELT: Dutch Design Week – Performance in the MU container
2021 – Gallery Untitled – SOLO exhibition i.c.w. Ko De Kok: Snack Art. Interview: “Het velletje van de frikandel”
2020 – Galerie 158, Schiedam – GROUP exhibition Obsessie, with Levi Jacobs, Judith Aardse, Fenna Schaap
2019 – Motel Mozaïque – The Performance Bar hosted the sleeping location incl. Morning Rave
2019 – Theater Rotterdam – GROUP performance with Tjon Rockon, Tommy Ventevogel, Hajo Doorn
2018 – Berliner Festspiele – Performance art event
2018 – De Parade – Performance show The Container Club, with Maarten Bel & Ko de Kok
2017 – SOMA Gallery, Berlin – SOLO exhibition and performance art event
2016 – Charlois Speciaal @Winkelcentrum Zuidplein – Pop-up studio, art project and music album producer – supported by the Municipality of Rotterdam
2013 – Roodkapje, Rotterdam – SOLO exhibition The Entity of ZOON, publication and work blog
2010 – Shanghai Biennale, China – International Student Show, with Adriaan Rees & Hans van Bentum
2010 – Gallery BLAAK010 – GROUP show Best of Graduation, WdKA
2010 – Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven – GROUP show Best of Graduation: Air-Bed Sculpture
Guest Teaching and Art Education:
2024 – Haags Montessori Lyceum: Guest teacher: Power of Performance in Spoken Word
2023 – Villa Zebra: Art education
2022 – Willem de Kooning Academy: Guest presentation on performance art
2017 – Bcademie: Guest teacher
2013 – KABK The Hague: Guest teacher – Workshop: Utopian Tools
Selected Other Activities:
2023 – Under The Bridge Art Fair: Co-founder (with Maarten Bel)
2023 – O Festival: Set design for Collective Knaap en de Vos.
2021 – Artist in Residence: Weelde Rotterdam – Performance: The Treehouse Club
2019 – Zaal3, The Hague: Set and costume design for De Poezie Boys, about Johnny the Selfkicker
2019 – Artist in Residence: Rimbun Dahan, Malaysia – Painting residency
2010 – Artist in Residence: Ceramics in Jingdezhen, China
2008 – Bond Voor Wilde Dansers: Collective promoting shameless dancing in nightlife.
Selected LongList
2024: Host and producer: De Heftruck Show during opening of GRAW (Groot Rotterdams Atelier Weekend)
2024: Guest teacher at Haags Montessori Lyceum: Power of Performance in Spoken Word
2024: BRUTUS, Unforeseen: Soundscape design and performance
2024: Museumnacht Rotterdam; Performance at DIRT Gallery at de Koopgoot
2024: Villa Zebra: Leren protesteren, workshop
2024: Rotterdam Art week; Opening new snackart.nl studio at Keilewerf
2023: Performance at TenClub Amsterdam: Vivaldi Priest
2023: Affordable Art Fair: www.snackart.nl
2023: North Sea Jazz: www.snackart.nl
2023: De Frituur Show: Gallery Cristels Ballroom Amsterdam: Group Expo
2023: Set design and construction of Organ Cart: collectief MAKTUB, O Festival
2023: Villa Zebra: Exhibition Utopian Designs
2023: Kunst Rai: www.snackart.nl
2023: Choreography for kids performance presented to Dutch Royal Family
2023: Art on Paper: www.snackart.nl
2023: Re-reveal of Public Art: Museum Nacht Rotterdam i.c.w. Jasper van den Berg
2023: Villa Zebra: Zie Jezelf i.c.w Onno Poiesz
2023-Ongoing: Under The Bridge Art Fair: co-founded with Maarten Bel
2023: Niet Rotterdam: Tour Guide of Disaster
2023: Willem de Kooning Academie: Guest Speaker; Art Apfeltschüss (performance)
2022: Winnaar pitch wedstrijd: Studio Binnenstad Gem. Amsterdam
2022: Affordable Art Fair: Guest curator an art critic 'Art Apfeltschüss' (performance)
2022: Pier15 SkatePark Breda: Is het Kunst of mag het Weg? Art auction
2022: Fringe meets Nederlands Theater Festival: Performance 'An awkward heeling by Solarium'
2022: Mannequin Mola Mola story: theatrical performance in Boys Won't Be Boys; Rikkert van Huisstede
2022: Is het Kunst of mag het Weg (into the dumpster or art?)
2022: Performance Delivery Service (COVID proof)
2021: The Treehouse Club; Weelde Rotterdam (made at summer residency)
2021: Frikadellen Wellness Experience
Democracy Realness i.c.w. Jasper van den Berg
2020 Muted in Motion (Non-speaking art happening)
2019 Tutorial DIY performance workshop
2019: The Performance Bed; De Parade
2019 Lolly Panic, Absurdist Modern Dance Performance
2019 Jerry Springer’s Dream; Performative Cocktail Night
2019 Costume and Set design: Poezie Boys: BONTE AEVOND, Zaal 3, Den Haag, [De Parade]
2019 Non performance (event)
2019 Pump up the puppetry (Museum night real life puppet show)
2019: STOP performance
2019 Theater Rotterdam: Grande Loge X The Performance Bar:
i.c.w: Tjon Rockon, Tommy Ventevogel
Ongoing: Mannequin Mola Mola, (Drag/Alter-ego)
2018: PFFF: Pan Flute Fantasy Festival
2018: Mingled Murder Mystery; interactive theatrical play
2018: Bcademie meets Art Apfeltschüss
2018: Under The Sea (event)
2018: Binge Bingo (game show)
2018: Meeting i.c.w. Ko de Kok: Charlois Speciaal (performance)
2018: Delivery performance Service (call show happening)
2018: The Awkward Award Show
2018: The Others Art Fair - Torino; The Performance Bar Art Show
2018: Museum Night R'dam; Don’t feed the artist, Art safari i.c.w Inge Aanstoot (happening)
2018: A healing by humanoid Solarium (performance)
2018: Welcome to The Village: Nachtprogramma; The Performance Bar int.
Ongoing The Darklord: Drill Instructor (Alter-ego)
2017: My seaman's life story (performance)
Ongoing: Art Apfeltschuss (Art Curator/Alter-ego)
2017: Surrealistic night event / Museum Booijmans van Beuningen
Ongoing: Pop de Dirigent (performance)
2016: The Pop-up recording Studio i.c.w. Ko de Kok, Shopping Mall 'Zuidplein'
2016: A Ritual Concerning Hate; Charlois Speciaal (performance)
2016: De Persconferentie: (performance)
2015: An Interpretation of Futuristic Pigment Rituals: Art Rotterdam
2015: The Performance Bed (interactive show)
2014: Performance Bar IK: Theaterfestival De Parade
2013: SOLO Roodkapje Rotterdam: Opening performance 'The becoming 'OF' ritual'
2013: Wereld van de Witte de With: Procession performance of The ZOON
2013 Teach workshops; Utopian Tools, KABK; Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
2013 Teach workshops; Philosophy with Children, Roodkapje Rotterdam.
2010-2012: Bond voor Wilde Dansers (happenings)